Mutagenesis of Brassica oleracea

 

Edward T. Himelblau1, K. Buono2, R. Vogelzang2, T. Osborn2 and R. M. Amasino2

 

1Natural Science Department, Southampton College, Long Island University, Southampton, NY; 2University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

 

A rapid cycling strain of Brassica oleracea was mutagenized by exposure to EMS. The resulting population (1000 pools of seed each containing self-pollinated seed from 10 mutagenized plants) was screened for mutants with visibly altered phenotype. Putative mutants were identified in which the following traits were affected: pigmentation (albino, yellow-green, purple, variegated), plant stature (dwarfed, spindly), wax deposition (absent or abnormal wax deposition), leaf morphology (serrated, lobed leaves), phyllotaxy, flowering time (late flowering, early flowering), flower color, flower morphology (apetala-like, agamous-like), male sterility and silique morphology. The abundance of mutations suggests that many traits in B. oleracea are determined by single loci. Mutant lines will be deposited with the Crucifer Genetics Cooperative and made available for research and education.

 

 

Developing tools for genomics education using Arabidopsis thaliana and Brassica oleracea

 

Edward T. Himelblau

 

Natural Science Department, Southampton College, Southampton, NY

 

            A laboratory activity (MapPlants) has been created that will introduce undergraduate students to modern genetics by allowing them to grow and analyze populations of Arabidopsis plants segregating for a mutant phenotype and then identify the chromosomal location of the affected gene using genomic resources.

            Large-scale mutagenesis of the rapid-cycling Brassica oleracea line, TO1000 has led to the identification of many mutants. The B. oleracea mutants are being characterized genetically and mapping populations are being generated. The large flowers and seeds of TO1000 make this plant well suited for genetic experiments in the classroom. As sequencing of the B. oleracea genome proceeds, genomics education tools using B. oleracea will be developed.